He was born in 1832/33 (7 (28 in 1861), 8 [18], 11, 15 [62 in 1895], 17 [62 in 1895]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11, 15, 17).
When he enlisted, he was a lithographer (11).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a light complexion, light eyes, and light hair (11).
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 3 October 1861 (1, 7, 8, 11, 12, 16). He was enlisted for three years, by Lieutenant Pierce (7, 8, 11). He was mustered in as a private, in company D (1, 7, 8, 16, 18).
He was promoted to corporal on 3 October 1861 (7, 9).
He was transferred to company F on 31 October 1861 (6, 17).
He was reported missing in action on 7 May 1863 (3, 11). Perhaps this is when he was taken prisoner (12).
On 6 October 1863, he was reported regained from missing in action (4).
On 30 December 1863, Sinex reported that he was one of 38 men who had less than fifteen months to serve who were unwilling to reenlist (2). On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave (5).
He mustered out near Petersburg Virginia on 2 November 1864 when his term expired (1, 7, 10, 11, 12 [1865, color sergeant], 14, 16). He served for thirty-seven months (15, 17). He was a corporal, in company F (18).
In 1890, he was living at 618 North 36th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (12, 13). He was an inspector (12). He was living with John S Smith (segars), Newbold Smith (laborer), Robert Smith (ironworker), William Bond (inspector). and George Kahmer (printer) (13).
On 21 September 1892, he successfully applied for a pension (16, 19).
On 12 December 1895, he was admitted to the National Soldiers Home (15, 17). He was admitted from Pennsylvania (15). He was deaf (15). He was not receiving a pension (15).
In 1896, he was present at the Southern Branch of the National Soldiers Home (15).
On 23 March 1907, he died (16, 17). He was receiving a pension of $12 per month (17).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 30 December 1863
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 May 1863 (Private Smith)
4 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 6 October 1863 (Corpl Smith)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Smith)
6 company D, register of men transferred, entry 14 (James Smith)
7 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 9 August 2004 (James Smith [co.F])
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 9 August 2004 (James Smith [co.D])
9 company F, list of non-commissioned officers (James Smith)
10 company F, register of men discharged (James Smith)
11 company F, descriptive roll, #8 (James Smith)
12 1890 US Census, Veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 521 (division 11, ward 24), page 3 (image 1718 on Ancestry), line 33 (James Smith)
13 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (searched transcription on Ancestry) (James Smith)
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 3 November 1864 (Corp Smith)
15 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1896. Serial Set volume 3516, session volume 40, 54th Congress, 2nd Session, House Document 46. Pages 840, 843, and 851. (James Smith)
16 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company F (James Smith)
17 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1907. Serial Set volume 5290, Session Vol. No.21, 60th Congress, 1st Session, House Document 210. Page 465 (Jas Smith)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James Smith)
19 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (James Smith)